asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he has taken, in connection with plans for increasing trade between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United Kingdom, to evaluate the adverse effect on various British industries of increasing the import into this country of low-priced Russian consumer goods; and what steps he proposes to take to consult such industries before concluding any new Anglo-Soviet trade agreement.

I have no reason to believe that imports of Soviet consumer goods, all of which are subject to quota, will have an adverse effect on British industries. Following the normal procedure, before new quotas are negotiated for the year 1962 industry will be consulted directly by my Department and through the Consultative Committee for Industry.